First off, let’s discuss why HDL is considered “good” cholesterol when compared to LDL.
“HDL is typically referred to as good cholesterol because HDL is typically the format that ushers cholesterol out of the body,” explains preventive cardiologist Elizabeth Klodas, M.D.
LDL, on the other hand, settles in the arteries, contributing to clogging and disease risks. “We want most of our cholesterol to be leaving our circulatory system rather than finding a place to park,” explains Klodas.
Up until recently, the general consensus was the higher the better for HDL. Studies like this suggest that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
“Low HDL is a well-established risk factor for heart disease, but high HDL is turning out not to be infinitely protective, and this study falls in line with this evolving understanding,” Klodas elaborates.
“[Having] very high HDL may mean that your elimination pathways are actually not working all that well,” she adds. She adds that after 80 mg/dL, there appears to be no benefit to having a high HDL.
